.UJ89 




LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




DDDDEm'^SSA ^ 



^/ 



WOMEN'S Patriotic Association 



FOR DIMINISHING 



HE U3K OF 



IMPORTED LUXURIES, 



3Sro. 69 4 BIiO.A.I3"W^^"5r, 



NEW YORK. 



ORGANIZED MAY 16tlx, 1S64.. 






€^' 



NEW yOKK: 

SANFORD, HAEROUN & CO., PRINTERS, 644 BRQADWAY. 
1864. 



.V/8 9 



BOARD OF MANAOERS 

OP THE 

WOMEN'S PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION 

FOR DIMINISHING THE USE OF IMPORTED LUXURIES. 



PRESIDENT ! Mrs. Charles P. Daly 

TREASURER Mks.^ giJui liW|;^ 



'"^x^^Z^U^. 



SECRETARY Miss Anne S. Edwaeds. 



COMMITTEE FOR THE CITY. 



Mrs. Ogden Hoffman, 
" Marshall 0. Roberts, 
" DE Trobriand, 
" F. Libber, 

Miss K. Hone, 



Mrs. Laura W. Gibbs, 
" Augustus F. Smith, 
" Benjamin Nathan, 
" W. P. Griffin, 
" Wm. Greenough, 



Mrs. J. A. Dickinson. 



COMMITTEE ON COUNTRY CORRESPONDENCE. 

Mrs. W. p. Griffin, I Mrs. Geo. J. Cornell, 

Miss Anna K. Nevins, ' Miss M. Gardener. 



COMMITTEE ON MANUFACTURES. 

Mrs. Geo. J. Cornell, I Miss K. Hone, 

Miss Mart Morris Hamiltoh. 



•■ «•■- • '•t<9»IM.«»^ 



WOMEN'S PATRIOTIC ASSOCIATION FOR DIMINISHING 
THE USE OF IMPORTED LUXURIES. 



Organized May 16, 1864. 



A D D K E S S . 
Women of the State of New York': 

There is something more we can do for our country ! We 
wish to make, we can make, no stronger appeal than this to 
those who have been working for our sick and wounded 
soldiers for the past three years, who are working for them 
now, who mean to work for them until the war is over. We 
ask you to consider seriously the subject now presented ; let it 
commend itself to your reason ; for, if once convinced of the 
importance of the measure, we cannot doubt but that you will 
show yourself as ready to help our country by not doing, as 
you have hitherto helped it by doing. 

In general, we women have taken but little interest in the 
financial aifairs of the country. Only lately the eyes of some 
of the more thoughtful amongst us have been opened to the 
startling and alarming fact, that these were not in the most 
satisfactory condition. Eager questionings arose, springing 
from the hope that we, non-combatants, might possibly lend a 
helping hand here as elsewhere; might, perhaps, find some 
new way of helping our country. We knew that war, aside 
from the loss of life, was the most expensive undertaking in 
which a nation could engage. AVhy is it then, as our news- 
papers tell us, that we are sending gold out of the comitry at 
the rate of nearly $2,000,000 a week, when we need it so 
much at home ? Why is it that the price of gold is going 



higher and higher ? And is it true that this is only another way 
of saying that our own currency is as steadily depreciating ? If 
all this is so, and if it ought not to be so, is there anything we 
women can do about it ? Wiser heads were consulted, men 
who had made the subject a study, men to whom the nation 
looked to guide it safely tlirough financial difiiculties. There 
was but one answer. It is true ; you are right ; and you can 
help us and the country most materially. 

The most efiectual way of doing this, we are told, is to di- 
minish our use of foreign luxuries, although a general economy 
in all superfluities will do nmch towards it. At present our 
imports — or the articles purchased by us from foreign coun- 
tries — are very much greater in value than our exports — or the 
articles we produce at home and sell abroad. It is estimated 
that when the accounts for the year are made up, on the 30th 
day of this coming June, we shall find that the country has 
been sending abroad seventy or seventy-jive millions of dolla/rs 
in gold to pay the halcmce of trade against it. And what have 
we bought with this money, so much needed at home just 
now, and which might be dispensed with ? Silks, satins, vel- 
vets, laces, jewelry, ribbons, trimmings, carpets, mirrors, and 
other imported luxuries — every woman knows what they are 
without running through the whole list — things that are not 
necessa/ry^ which would benefit our country should we do with- 
out them altogether, but which, if wanted, can, with but few 
exceptions, be obtained of our own manufacture. We do 
not wish to cut off all importations, for many of these are 
necessary to our welfare and comfort, but we do aim at re- 
ducing our imports until they are at least even with om* ex- 
ports, thus raising the standard of our own depreciated cur- 
rency, and, by keeping the gold in the country, enabling us to 
meet the expenses of the present war with greater ease. When 
the war broke out we all thought we should be ruined, and we 
instinctively economized — the statistics, as given by Prof. 
Hitchcock in his eloquent address at the large meeting at the 
Cooper Union, show with wliat good result — ^but the following 
year we began to indulge ourselves again, men as well as 



women, and to spend freely, and so we went on and on, more 
and more extravagant every year, until, without knowing it, 
we have been weakening onr Government to the extent of 
twenty^ and fifty ^ and seventy millions of dollars^ dnring the 
past three years. But, the ohjection is made, cut off the im- 
portations and you cut off the Government revenue derived 
from duties upon them. True ; but on the other hand, the 
greater the national wealth the stronger the Goverment, be- 
cause there is more property in the country as a basis of taxa- 
tion and loans, while the custom-house duties on articles 
which cannot be dispensed with, are quite isufficient to meet 
the requirements of the Government for interest-money paya- 
ble in gold. 

Let us examine the import and export tables of a single 
year. Those for 1860-61 are at hand. Up to June 30, '61, 
"the value of the exports of the growth, produce and manu- 
facture of the United States," amounted to $228,699,486, 
including specie. The value of the imports for the same pe- 
riod, including specie, amounted to $286,598,135, leaving a 
balance against us of $57,898,649. The following are some of 
the items of the imports ; most of these are pure articles of 
luxury, the others are manufactured and are for sale in this 
country : 

Buttons $ 433,074 00 

Cotton goods, viz : cords, galloons, gimps, 

thread, twist, yarn and piece goods 17,057,158 00 

Dolls and toys of all kinds 424,614 00 

Feathers and flowers, artificial and ornamental . 606,285 00 

Glass 2,017,930 00 

Gems, set and not set 797,808 00 

Jeweby 372,587 00 

Hats and bonnets 1,181,391 00 

Laces and embroideries 2,377,470 00 

Boots and shoes ; 69,447 00 

Paper — as fancy boxes, cards, paper hangings, 

writing paper, etc 677,163 00 



Silks, manufactured 22,456,899 00 

Soap, perfumed and otherwise 102,152 00 

Umbrellas, parasols and sunshades 40,107 00 

Wood, manufactured, as furniture, etc 390,170 00 

Wool and worsted, ' manufactured 25,244,481 00 

Total $74,148,736 00 

We cannot surely dignity the wiping out of these figures 
with the name of sacrifice. 

It has been said that all this is but an evidence of the heart- 
lessness of our countryw^omen — a proof of their indifference to 
our sacred cause. This is unjust to them, and absolutely false. 
A few there are, frivolous women, who live but to be looked 
at, whose ears, like their hearts, are deaf to the cry of our no- 
ble patriots now bleeding for their country, who would have 
fiddled with Nero while Rome was burning. Let us leave 
them to the contempt they deserve. Beyond these, the hearts 
of our loyal coimtrywomen ])eat as true to the great and sa- 
cred cause of Union and Liberty as do those of our soldiers 
now fighting and dying for it upon the battle field. We never 
shall know the extent of the sacrifices these women have made 
towards it, but we do know that they have cheerfully given 
up husbands, and sons, and brothers — their most precious 
offerings. Let these monster Fairs, lately held throughout the 
loyal States for the sick and wounded soldiers, tell their story; 
let the records of the Sanitary and Christian Commissions 
give then* testimony ; go to the Soldiers' Aid Society of every 
village ; go into the hospital, aye, even to the battle-field, and 
you will find thousands of true, earnest women working 
quietly and faithfully at their self-appointed duty, year after 
year, supported by a love of country which knows no sacrifice 
too great to make for it. Friends, we have been thoughtless? 
heedless, extravagant in our expenditures — because ignorant. 
We are so no longer. Thank God ! we have found something 
more we can do for our country. 

New York, May 30, 1864. 



We publish the following extracts, from the prominent news- 
papers of the day, to show the origin and progress of the 
movement in this city. 

[From the N. Y. Tribune, May 14.] 

A PUBLIC MEETING ' 

WILL BE HELD AT THE 

COOPER UNION, 

ON MONDAY, MAY 16, AT ONE O'CLOCK. 

The object of the meeting is to call the attention of women 
to the injmy inflicted upon the country, in this crisis, by the 
extravagant purchase of imported luxuries, such as silks, 
satins, velvets, jewelry, feathers, mirrors, and objects of vertu, 
and to suggest to their consideration the propriety of abstain- 
ing from such articles of foreign manufacture until the present 
unhappy crisis shall have passed. It is not proposed to 
recommend the abandonment of any articles necessary for 
comfort, but simply, that the above named luxuries, whose im- 
port creates the necessity of sending enormous amounts of 
gold out of the country, should, for the present, cease to be 
matters of daily use and purchase ; and thus, the gold should 
be retained at home, to strengthen our own Government. 

Elsewhere this movement has been already suggested ; 
women, who have devoted themselves to the service of their 
country's defenders, have paused, in the midst of labor and 
suffering, to ask. Is there nothing more to be done ? and they 
have been taught that a mightier help than any they have yet 
given may be rendered by simple self-denial in outward adorn- 
ing. Can a right-thinking, patriotic woman hesitate to make 
so paltry a sacrifice ? 

The Executive Committee of the Metropolitan Fair have 
been urged to take the initiative in this movement, and being 
fully persuaded of its utility, and anxious to forward it by any 



10 

means in their power, they call upon the women of New York 
to show their patriotism, by going to this meeting, listening 
to the statistics which will there be given, and learning what 
they are doing by yielding to the extravagance of the times, 
and their duty in regard to it. 

Several addresses will be made, and at the close of the 
meeting an opportunity will be given to all who are willing to 
join in this movement to enrol their names. 

Mrs. David Lane, Mrs. A. V. Stout, 

" John Jay, " Gurdon Buck, 

" Morris Ketchmn, " A. Schermerhorn, 

'• Ogden Hoffman, " Marshall O. Koberts, 

" Alex. Hamilton, Jr., " F. Billings, 

" Daniel LeKoy, " S. B. Schieffelin, 

" James B. Colgate, " J. G. Courtney, 

" Benj. l^athan, " Francis Lieber, 

" H. A. Coit, Miss Hone, 

" E. M. Hunt, Miss IS"ash. 

" T. F. Meagher, 



[From the N. Y. Tribune and Herald of May 17.] 

WOMEN'S PATEIOTIC ASSOCIATION FOE DIMIN- 
ISHING THE USE OF IMPOETED LUXUEIES. 

A large and enthusiastic audience of ladies assembled yes- 
terday in the Cooper Institute to listen to addresses in connec- 
tion with the objects of the above association. There could 
not have been less than two thousand five hundred ladies 
present, and the railing in front of the platform was hung 
with samj)les of the various articles of home manufacture, 
which it is proposed to substitute for those of foreign importa- 
tion. Some time after the hour named in the bills for the 
meeting to commence, Mr. Wm. E. Dodge appeared on the 
platform, to request that the ladies of the Executive Committee 



11 

then present "vroiild step into tlie anteroom, for conference, for 
a few moments, with the speakers. 

Mr. Peter Cooper proposed that the chair be taken by 
President King, of Columbia College, which was carried 
unanimously, and the Rev. S. H. Tyng was appointed Secre- 
tary of the meeting. 

President King said he had had some experience in pre- 
siding over masculine meetings, but never at such a meeting 
as this, and in such a cause. The object of the meeting was, 
that the women of the land should aid in a great national 
cause, and by some acts of personal self-denial on a point that 
was supposed to be very dear to the female heart — the point 
of dress. They of the other gender always assumed that 
women dressed for them, and, therefore, when it was asked 
that during the continuance of this war they should abstain 
as far as possible from all indulgence in articles of luxury in 
dress, and adorn themselves with the fabrics that we ourselves 
produce, and present themselves to us as American women, he 
could assure them, in the name of the masculine gender, that 
they would be still more lovely and still more honored. 
[Applause.] They would not forget in inaugurating this 
movement, to implore the Divine blessing, and therefore he 
would call upon the Rev. Dr. Yinton to commence the pro- 
ceedings with prayer. 

Prayer was then offered up by the reverend gentleman, after 
which the President called upon 

Mr. Peter Cooper to address the meeting. 

Mr. Cooper remarked that this meeting had for its object 
the formation of a Union that must commend itself to the 
heart of every patriotic lady. At this time, when our hopes 
of freedom for ourselves and our posterity were thi'eatened by 
the vilest despotism that ever disgraced a civilized nation, all 
ought to contribute to strengthen the arm of the Government. 
Nothing could be more temble than that such a cause and 
such institutions as the Rebel Confederacy should be allowed 
to flourish. It would be a sign that the sun of American 
Freedom was fast setting in clouds and darkness. He was 



12 



sadly afraid that the present attitude of the North exhibited 
that pride which goes before destruction, and that haughty step 
which precedes a fall, for the world had seldom seen such a 
degree of prodigality and extravagance as that which was now 
spreading its influence over our land. The question for con- 
sideration was what could they, what should they do to save 
their country from the dangers which threatened its life. The 
love of pride and fashion can only be overcome by a solid 
union, and there is no union that can be firmer and more pow- 
erful than a union of ladies ; and if they were determined, 
they might easily in a short time save the country from what 
was now wasted — an amount equal to the ^vhole expense of 
the war. 

The Feesident then called upon 

Professor Hitchcock. 

SPEECH OF PKOFESSOE HITCHCOCK. 
Professor Hitchcock having taken the stand, proceeded to 
address the meeting. He said the addi'ess they had just 
listened to with so much respect and pleasure, one or two years 
ago, might have furnished a theme for debate. But this good 
cause of our country, like every other good cause in its history 
and unfolding, has passed beyond — triumphantl}' passed beyond 
— the period of apology. First principles are no longer in 
controversy; certain great matters are settled. The provi- 
dence of God has inflamed the mind and heart of this nation 
with the conviction and purpose that this Republic, founded 
by the wisdom, defended by the valor, and baptized by the 
blood of our fathers shall, God helping us, be transmitted to 
our children as they transmitted it to theirs. We are here 
to-day, not to entertain for an instant the question whether 
anything we can do, or anything we can sufl'er, shall be con- 
tributed to that holy cause. Here before us, as in every public 
place, is the altar of our God. We are on it — evei:y American 
man, every American woman, body and soul — a living oft'ering 
to the shades of our fathers ; to oiu' children in the coining 
generation, to the army of the blessed above us, and to the 



13 

good God who riiletli over all. The question is one of ways 
and means — not whether we shall do this or that, but how 
wisely and effectively it shall be undertaken and accomplished. 
The question before us is simply this, of helping the cause by 
a self-denial so paltry that I will not insult any American 
woman by apprising her of it here, even in advance. (Ap- 
plause.) This matter has two aspects — a material aspect and 
a spiritual aspect — just as war has a body and soul. The soul 
of the war is faith of the American people in its object — in its 
settled and final triumph. And this soul of the war is un- 
perishable, and cannot be annihilated and cannot die. But 
war has also a body. A recent issue of one of the Boston 
papers, so conveniently for rustic scholars^ informs us that the 
phrase, " the sinews of war," is substantially as old as the elo- 
quence of Demosthenes. Greek philosophers, Greek orators, 
and Greek warriors understood that war has muscles, and 
that these muscles must be fed, ISTow, what this organization 
of ladies proposes is, not to put an end to importations, as some 
have falsely alleged, as though this was a grand quixotic cru- 
sade against importation. The thing struck at is just this — 
only a moiety of what we import — that excess of importation 
over exportation, which has to be paid for in gold — that yellow 
blood of the war that flows as the blood of the man flowing 
on the field is red. What that excess was he would show them 
by some statistics. In the year ending June 30, 1S60, we 
exported specie to the amount of nearly $58,000,000. In 1861, 
at the beginning of this cruel war, the balance of trade was 
the other way, and we imported specie to the amount of about 
$16,500,000, The people instinctively economized, but by and 
by the war brought its own alleviation, and they began to 
indulge themselves again in luxm-ies, and what was the result ? 
In the year 1862, the amount of specie exported was about 
$20,500,000^ and in 1863, with a whole year of extravagancies 
between that date and to-day, they exported nearly $55,000,000 
of specie, and he should not be surprised if this year the 
balance against us amounted to 70 or 75 millions of dollars. 
Now, the practical question is, women of America, will you 



14 



destroy, will you extinguish this balance against us ? "Will you 
stop this drain on the muscles of the nation ? It can be done 
with perfect ease. Every one must see that at least seventy- 
five millions must be taken off our expenses, and not a particle 
of comfort less would be enjoyed by any woman on the conti- 
nent. The thing can be done if it be only made fashionable 
to do it. We ask for no linsey-woolsey dress, but we ask 
every woman in her loyalty, in her simpleness, in her shrewd- 
ness, in her common sense, to reduce her own personal expenses 
in dress and jewels, to do everything she fairly and easily can 
to reduce our gold account. And this without making it 
tell upon her substantial comforts, upon the health or hai^piness 
of herself or family. The thing is perfectly feasible and within 
our reach. Now, will it be done ? Of course this work must 
have its beginning. Certain ladies here who can afford to 
spend money, pledge themselves that they will not encourage 
the importation of foreign luxuries. They will, as far as con- 
venient, abstain from the purchase of those imported luxuries, 
and if their example be copied, this fashion set in the streets 
of Kew York will be imitated all over the country, and those 
sixty millions now against us will be annihilated within six 
months. (Applause.) It is perfectly easy to do it ; and what 
will be the effect of this ? Go into Wall Street — into the gold 
ring — after this matter is faii'ly inaugurated ; or, if you think 
that too perilous a venture, open one of the morning papers 
next day, and you will see the result — gold tumbling down 
with a crash, and the credit of the countrj^ going up. l!^ow, 
we want good Uncle Sam to be able to hold up his head in 
Wall Street, and Lombard Street, and everywhere else, in the 
strength of his credit, so that his greenbacks will be as good 
as gold, dollar for dollar. (Applause.) What woman that 
deserves the name is willing to sweep the streets with Lyons 
silk and costly velvet, and go flashing up and down Broadway 
with expensive jewels, when these streets echo so often to the 
funeral tread, and when so many faces we meet are saddened 
with the grief of the horn*. It is indecent, it is unbefitting, it 
is unsympathetic — it is a shame. (Applause.) I do not ask 



for crape in any form, when tlie hand of God himself has not 
smitten with ills. I do not ask for sackcloth and ashes or 
these outward signs and circumstances of soitow. But I ask 
a decent, a sober, and a blameless demeanor, which becomes 
people who feel that they are walking amid the shadows 
of great events. I honestly believe that there never has been 
in history a more faithful, a more heroic, a more godly ai'my 
than the Army of the Potomac, not to say all the armies 
of the Union. (Applause.) And I know that there is no 
keener grief, no more acute sorrow, no deeper sense of shame 
visiting those men, than the knowledge of the extravagant and 
frightful vanity which is flourishing behind them. They 
look from their tents, back from the weary march, at all our 
flaunting pride, and they weep in shame for us. They do 
not curse us, but they weep for us in shame, and exclaim 
" Cannot you be sober, in God's name, looking on to see 
us die?" This is the question. I will add no more. It 
lies with the American women most materially to assist the 
credit of the country in the exigency now upon it, and which 
is to be a protracted exigency. And, above all, it is in their 
power to cheer the army by the spirit they shall exhibit, so 
that they, as the bugles sound from the Eapidan to Spottsyl- 
vania, from Spottsylvania to Gordonsville, from Gordonsville 
to Richmond — (applause) — from Richmond to annihilation — 
(continued applause) — so that when the bugles sound from 
march to march, from battle to battle, our brave boys may 
say, the nation — the nation — is behind us. (Applause.) 

Me. W. E. Dodge followed, addressing the meetmg at con- 
siderable length, taking the ground of Prof. Hitchcock in 
urging a harmonious and general adhesion to the pledge of 
economy. 

Dr. Vinton next followed, and his remarks were frequently 
applauded by the fair audience. 

It was announced that a book, with the pledge, would be 
ready for signature at No. 2 Great Jones Street, at three 
o'clock, Tuesday. 

The meeting was then declared at an end, but it was some 
time before the last of the assemblage left. 



16 



[From the New York Times, May 20.] 

WOMEN'S PATEIOTIC ASSOCIATION FOR DIMIN- 
ISHmO THE USE OF IMPORTED LUXURIES. 

The above Association, so successfully inaugurated last 
Monday, May 16, by a mass meeting at the Cooper Union of 
over 2,500 women, held an adjourned meeting on the following 
day at No. 2. Great Jones Street. Yarious committees were 
appointed, upon manufactures, correspondence throughout the 
State, &c. Tlie pledge, as finally adopted,- reads as follows : 

" We, the undersigned, during the continuance of this war 
of rebellion, pledge oiu'selves to refrain from the purchase of 
imported articles of luxury for which tliose of home manufac- 
ture or production can be substituted." 

To this the following names, taken at random from among 
several hundred, have been attached, and we publish them to 
show the interest with which the movement is regarded in this 
city: 



Mrs. Mary Vanden Heuvel, 

Mrs. David Lane, 

Mrs. John Jay, 

Mrs. Morris Ketchum, 

Mrs. R. M. Hunt, 

Mrs. T. F. Meagher, 

Mrs. A. V. Stout, 

Mrs. Gurdon Buck, 

Mrs. A. Schermerhorn, 

Mrs. Marshall 0. Roberts, 

Mrs. F. Billings, 

Mrs. Laura W. Gibbs, 

Mrs. Geo. J. Cornell, 

Miss Mary Morris Hamilton, 

Miss A. K. Nevins, 

Miss Gardener, 

Mrs. Gen. de Trobriand, 

Mrs. Moses H. Grinnell, 

Mrs. George S. Bowdoin, 

Mrs. R. M. Blatchford, 

Mrs. Frederick G. Foster, 

Mrs. Drake Mills, 

Mrs. S. B. Schcffelin, - 

Mrs. S. G. Courtney, 

Mrs. Francis Liebfer, 



Mrs. Alex. Hamilton, Jr. 
Mrs. Daniel Le Roy, 
Mrs. James B. Colgate, 
Mrs. Benj. Nathan, 
Mrs. Henry A. Coit, 
Mrs. William E. Dodge, 
Miss K. Hone, 
Miss Nash, 
Miss A. P. Gary, 
Mrs. "W. P. Griffin, 
Mrs. T. d'Oremieulx, 
Miss Ellen Collins, 
Miss Louisa Lee Schuyler, 
Mrs. S. Wier Roosevelt, 
Miss Henrietta D. Haines, 
Miss Harriet R. Woolsey, 
Mrs. J. A. Dickinson, 
Mrs. James A. Ruthven, 
Mrs. Nathaniel Robinson, 
Mrs. Joseph Inslee, 
Mrs. Com. Eagle, U. S. N. 
Mrs, Wm. A. Bloodgood, 
Mrs. Wm. B. Allen, 
Mrs. John W. Chauncey, 
Mrs. Wm. B. Moffat. 



17 

We would gladly publish all the names attached to this 
pledge, if our means would allow. For this, for distributing 
information, and for other purposes, all persons interested are 
requested to send money to Mrs. Ogden Hoffman, Treasurer 
of the Association, ISTo. 2 Great Jones Street, where the reg- 
ister of names is open for signatures from 10 a. m. to 4 p. m. 
Signatures will be received by letter. 

Retail dealers in American fabrics are also requested to send 
to the office then* names and addresses, with a description of 
the goods sold by them. 

By order, 

ANNE S. EDWARDS, 

Stcretary. 



18 



LETTERS 



Letter from Mk. SAM'L HOOPEK, Chairman Com. of Ways 
and MeanSy House of Representatives., Washington, amd 
Mb. ALEX. H. KICE, M. C. 

[From the Boston Advertiser.] 

Some of the ladies in this city who have undertaken the movement in 
favor of a general league against extravagant and mischievous expenditure, 
lately made application to the Representatives in Congress from Boston, for 
their views as to the advantages and proper objects, of such a movement. 
The reply made hy Messrs. Hooper and Rice is as follows : 

House of Representatives, ■> 

Washington City, Monday, May 2, 1864. / 

Ladies : — We have received the note with which you have honored us 
respectively under date of the 18th inst., informing us that a meeting of 
ladies had been held to consider the expediency of giving up, for the pres- 
ent, the use of some of the most expensive articles of luxury, such as silks, 
satins, velvets, laces, French millinery, etc. ; and asking our opinion re- 
specting the advisability of the measure, stating also that you had been 
informed that the diminution of the foreign debt, or of the United States 
Revenue, from this movement, would be too inconsiderable to be of much 
moment. You are pleased also to ask us to give you our opinion of the ex- 
pediency of your uniting to carry the proposed measure into eiTect, and we 
cheerfully comply with your request. 

As every dollar added to the revenue by the duty on importations involves 
an expenditure of more than two dollars for the cost of the article abroad, 
the national wealth will be increased by any reduction of revenue from that 
source. Whether the effect on the foreign debt would be inconsider; l>le or 
not, would, of course, depend on the extent to which the movement w d be 
carried. 

Almost every country has special advantages in regard to the production 
of some articles, arising from peculiar causes, such as climate, soil, or the 
skill derived from the long pursuit of an employment. As a general princi- 
ple, it may be said that our foreign commerce is beneficial to the nation only 
so far as it exchanges products, which we can furnish, cheaper and better, 
for the products other countries can furnish cheaper and better to us. So 
far, therefore, as the imported articles are necessary and useful to us, the 
foreign commerce which supplies them in exchange for articles of our own 
production is useful to the country, 



19 



On examining statements of the imports of previous years, we 

find the annual value in manufactures of silks to be about.. $27,500,000 

Of laces 1,500,000 

Of embroideries 4,500,000 

$33,500,000 

Of wines, over $4,000,000 

Of spirits, over 4,000,000 

Of cigars, over 4,000,000 

12,000,000 

Making $45,500,000 

This large amount consisted of articles of luxury which were neither ne- 
cessary nor useful, and added nothing to the wealth of the country. As 
gold was sent abroad to pay for them, the country was poorer for the im- 
portation of those articles. The annual export of specie has been about 
$60,000,000. The export in a single recent week of $2,000,000 in gold 
from New York, and the import of more than $7,000,000 of merchandise, is 
a striking illustration of the extravagance of our people. Far better would 
it be for the industry of the country, if that gold were thrown into the sea, 
than to send it abroad, as we are now doing, to pay for useless luxuries ; 
the ladies would then dress in the beautiful fabrics of our own manufacto- 
ries, and the gentlemen dispense with the use of imported wines, brandies 
and cigars. 

Entertaining these views, we have no hesitation in saying that just so far 
as the ladies abstain from the use of imported silks, satins, velvets, laces and 
French millinery, and gentlemen abstain from the use of imported wines, 
brandies and cigars^ they are discouraging habits of extravagance in 
dress and living, stimulating American industry and skill, in many depart- 
ments, diminishing the foreign debt, and increasing the ability of the coun- 
try to meet the expenditures of the war. 

We are, ladies, with great respect, 
Very truly yours, 

S. HOOPER, 
ALEX. H. RICE. 



Mrs. Cornelia Loring, Mrs. Anna P. M. Rogers, Mrs. 
Mary J. Quincy, Miss Abby W. May, Boston. 



} 



20 



Letter from Mr. JOHK E. WILLIAMS, President of the 
Metropolitan Banh, iV. Y. 

New York, May 28, 1864. 
Dear Miss Schuyler : — I have received your favor of the 27th instant, 
in which you request me to state my views in relation to certain points 
connected with the recent movement " for diminishing the use of imported 
luxuries." You ask: — 

I. "If generally adopted, would it be of any help to our Government 
during the present crisis^— and in what way?" 

In answer to this inquiry, I would remark, that if generally adopted, im- 
portations would be .gi-eatly reduced. As a consequence, then, gold, or its 
equivalent, would thereby be kept in this country which is now sent out 
of it. Another result would follow from a large reduction in the importa- 
tion of foreign luxuries, viz. : those articles we should substitute, would be 
produced here ; consequently, we should then pay the home laborer, and 
the domestic manufacturer, instead of the European operative. 

In this way new classes would be supported and enriched, and rendered 
capable of paying large taxes to the Government. This would be especially 
true of the flourishing manufacturing interests of our country. Thus the 
people would become self-sustaining, the General Government made strong- 
er, and the whole population happier and richer. Again, you inquire: — 

II. "As it would necessarily somewhat diminish the Government revenue 
derived from duties upon imported articles, where would be the correspond- 
ing or greater gain?" 

Of course, if importations are reduced, the imposts or duties would be 
lessened. But look at the practical operation. See how it will affect the 
public at large. Suppose, by way of illustration, importations are reduced 
one-half — that is, for instance, one hundred millions instead of two hundred 
are imported — this would make one hundred millions less to pay to Europe, 
yearly, in gold ; to say nothing of fifty per cent, of duties, also payable in 
gold, commissions, etc., etc. Now, in one sense, this importation is a 
foreign tax, self-imposed, on the American public. 

If, by your proposed reform, you can prevent the payment of this tax in 
gold, it is very clear i\iQ people would gain either more or less than the sum 
assumed for the sake of illustrating this point. But you ask, most patrioti- 
cally, what would be the condition of the Government ? 

I answer, the United States Government now owes an annual interest on 
its bonds, payable in gold, not exceeding forty-five millions of dollars. This 
is provided for by duties on imported goods, payable in gold. Now, inas- 
much as various articles, raw and manufactured, which cannot be produced 
here, will still have to be imported, it is nowise probable that the duties 
henceforward will be, can be, less than fifty millions annually. If, then, the 



21 



importations could be lessened one hundred millions a year, this amount 
would be saYed to th^ people of this country in gold! And yet, a sufficient 
revenue would be received by the Government, in gold, to pay all its gold 
interest from custom duties. 

Now, could not the manufacturers, and the people generally, under these 
circumstances, well afford to pay an increased tax, if the necessities of 
the Government demanded it? For the people of the country, as a whole, 
would add one hundred millions to their wealth, in gold, which is now sent 
to Europe, every year. 

In the third place, you ask, "What bearing upon the subject has the fact 
that this is a gold-producing country?" 

It has this bearing — The gold and silver mines of this country are largely 
productive — if you succeed in your reform, to one-half the extent I have 
supposed, it will be shown that we produce more of the precious metals 
than will be needed for export, to pay foreign indebtedness. On the con- 
trary, unless the annual interest of the Government, payable in coin, should 
be largely increased, your movement will produce a large surplus of gold, 
which will remain here to enrich the people of our own country. 

You say nothing about the present or prospective condition of the cur- 
rency of our country. Yet I cannot but regard this as a very important 
element in this connection. 

The tendency of the contemplated reform, is to keep and accumulate gold 
in this country. If that is accomplished — the reform carried out — even par- 
tially, and the paper currency of the United States Government is properly 
curtailed and restrained, the effect will inevitably be to raise the value of 
paper much nearer the standard of gold, reduce prices of all commodities, 
and gradually, but certainly, restore the Government and the banks to a 
specie basis. 

With all my heart I say, therefore, God speed you in the good work. 

Yours, vei'y truly, 

J. E. WILLIAMS, 
To Miss Louisa Lee Schutlek, 
No. 2 Great Jones St., N. Y. 



Letter from Messes. J. C. HOWE & CO., Manchester Print 
Works, Manchester, iT. 11. 

New Yoek, May 11, 1864. 

To Miss Louisa Lee Schutler: — AVe duly received yours of the 7th inst., 
requesting us to furnish samples of fabrics manufactured in this country 
suitable for ladies' dresses. 

We are aware that very little is known by ladies who have been accustomed 
to buy foreign fabrics, and who have been prejudiced against American pro- 



22 



ductions to such an extent, that the retail dealer has often required American 
goods put up in a disguised manner with foreign tickets and labels to insure 
a more ready sale, to what extent such goods are manufactured in this 
country. 

We appreciate the interest the ladies are beginning to take in this subject, 
and for the purpose of affording them information, we send with this several 
pattern cards, containing the various goods manufactured by the "Manchester 
Print Works," at Manchester, New Hampshire, of which we are the selling 
agents. 

This company take the cotton and wool in the raw state, spin the yarn, 
weave the cloth, and print the goods in their present state, as shown on the 
ccompanying cards, at the rate of 75,000 yards per day. They use about 
3,000,000 pounds American wool, and about 2,000,000 pounds cotton per 
annum. 

About 2,000 hands are employed in the whole establishment. 

They help to sustain the Government by paying an internal revenue tax of 
over $500 per day. 

Please bear in mind this is only what one Company are doing. There are 
others engaged in the same business, and will, no doubt, respond to your 
request for samples, and statistics, respecting what they can do. 

Ladies wishing to purchase the muslin d'laines, can find them at most of 
the retail dealers. 

Wishing you success in awakening an interest in " home productions," we 
remain, yours respectfully, 

J. C. HOWE & CO. 



23 



FORM OF PLEDGE. 



We, the undersigned, during the continuance of this, war of rebellion, 
pledge ourselves to refrain from the purchase of Imported Articles of 
Luxury, for which those of Home Manufacture or Production can be 
substituted. 



RESIDENCE. 



Please obtain signatures, and return to the Women's Pateiotic Associa 
HON, No. 694 Broadway, New York. 

Blanks for signatures, similar to the above, will be furnished upon ap 
plication at the office. 

Funds — to meet the expenses of office rent, printing, postage, adver 
tising, etc. — are very much needed. They should be sent to Mrs 
^iimrmaiia^ Treasurer of the Association, No. 694 Broadway. 




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V v" 



